NZ Warriors fans get tattooed in ridiculous footy promotion

Warriors fandom is sweeping New Zealand, and one of rugby league’s wildest promotions has shown just how far fans have gone.

The temporary tattoo parlour in Auckland (left) and the New Zealand Warriors (right)

The NRL’s biggest feel-good story has taken another huge leap with what has surely got to be one of the strangest promotions of any football team in any code.

The New Zealand Warriors, coming off their worst ever season in the NRL in 2022, are on the brink of what an increasingly expectant fanbase hope is a maiden premiership, and one promotion is indulging fans who think the “Wahs” can go all the way.

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Bookmaker TAB NZ set up a temporary tattoo parlour in the Sylvia Park Shopping Centre in Auckland, where fans could make permanent their dedication to the Warriors.

The catch was that fans did not have a choice in the ink they would get – they would have to put their arm through a hole, to be tattooed at the mercy of Auckland tattoo artist Leroy Roberts, who has worked with the likes of Jason Derulo in the past.

Roberts would then take to the exposed arms of fans with a selection of designs, one of which included reference to the new-found catchphrase “Up the Wahs”.

The temporary parlour advertised: “Mystery tattoos, for diehard, win or lose, ride or die, slightly unhinged Warriors fans”, as well as a reminder to “ink responsibly”.

The NZ Warriors' mystery tattoo parlour in Sylvia Park. Photo: Andy Hoad, Twitter

The phenomenon of the Warriors’ performance this season has swept New Zealand, with Ladbrokes’ Andy Hoad taking to social media to express the significance of the promotion.

“Not sure people in Australia can truly grasp the size of the cultural moment in NZ around the Warriors,” Hoad wrote on Twitter.

“The NZ TAB have a promotion today … free mystery tattoos.

“You put your arm in a hole and come out with a Wahs tatt. That’s all you know.

“They’re having to turn people away.”

Hoad even suggested that the Warriors’ success, combined with the All Blacks’ struggles, had shifted the dynamic of the dominant rugby codes in New Zealand.

“It’s getting to the point where it’s not even a debate if Kiwis would prefer the Warriors to win the NRL or the All Blacks win the World Cup,” he said.

“A second team (in Wellington) is a no-brainer.”

Aussies with a soft spot for the Warriors were loving the promotion.

Warriors fans show off their tattoos from the Warriors tattoo parlour. Photo: Andy Hoad, Twitter

Nine’s Mark Gottlieb called it “dead set the greatest thing I’ve ever seen”, while his stablemate Zac Bailey labelled it “proper wild”.

Marketing expert Scott Goodacre was also full of praise for the promotion.

“Great activation,” Goodacre wrote.

“One way for fans to literally wear their support on their sleeves. Something to show off to other fans.

“And it’s public too. Plenty will want to know where and how they got their tattoos.”

With the fandom taking over everything in New Zealand, Warriors of all stripes have gotten in on the “Wahs”.

Steve Kerr, who coaches the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, was approached by a Kiwi reporter earlier this year and told of the phenomenon.

In good spirits, Kerr obliged in giving an emphatic “Up the Wahs” for the cameras, despite coaching a Warriors outfit in a different sport based 10,500km away in San Francisco.

The Warriors are set to take on Penrith for a chance at a week’s break and a home preliminary final, but will have to do so without superstar halfback Shaun Johnson.

Johnson was under an injury cloud due to a lower leg injury but was officially ruled out with “calf soreness”.

It comes as the Warriors flew in to Sydney ahead of the clash after the club chartered a private flight to ensure the club has as seamless a preparation as possible.

Johnson was mobbed by reporters at Sydney Airport and was frustrated with the questioning.

“We’ve come here to win a game and we’re going to do that,” Johnson said.

“We’ve got players who can step in, we’ve done it all year, we’ve filled a role and that’s why we’re here.”

Coach Andrew Webster was also questioned and he said: “If it was a broken hand, you could try and play with it because it can’t get any worse, but when it’s a soft tissue injury, you’ve got to make sure you’re careful. You just can’t risk it.”

He also confirmed it was a new injury after pulling up while running.

“He’s the best player in the comp this year, we’re going to miss him but we’ve got so many players who can stand up, we’ve done it all year,” Webster added, saying the side was still confident of pulling off a win.

The Warriors will be playing finals for the first time since 2018 when they step out at Penrith Stadium on Saturday.